The Belgian Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders (Flemish Socialist) is calling for a temporary ban on the use of play sand, as it may contain asbestos. Retailers are being asked to remove play sand from their shelves for the time being.
Consumer Protection Minister asks parents to stop their children from playing with play sand
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The decision follows an investigation by Dutch journalists that found asbestos in certain types of play sand. In a joint press statement released on Thursday Mr Beenders and the Federal Economy Minister David Clarinval (Francophone liberal) were keen to stress that as of yet there have been no confirmed cases of asbestos contamination in play sand here in Belgium.
It is still unclear whether there is actually a health risk. However, the consumer protection and the economy ministers are taking precautionary measures and calling on parents to prevent their children from playing with play sand for the time being. Retailers are being asked to suspend play sand sales both in shops and online until there is clarity on the issue.
Anyone that has play sand at home is advised to pack it into airtight bags. Loose sand should be picked up with damp cloths and not removed with a vacuum cleaner. It is unclear how great a health risk there is for children that come into contact with the sand.
The Federal Economy Department will take samples of play sand sold in Belgium and test therm for traces of asbestos. The Federal Government's Risk Assessment Group (RAG) is preparing a risk analysis.
At the end of last year, asbestos particles were found in play sand in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.